Caucus suggests Cafaro as leader

By David Skolnick

‘I’ll fill what role my caucus wants,’ state Sen. Capri Cafaro says.

The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus meets Wednesday to discuss and possibly name its new leader — with state Sen. Capri Cafaro’s name surfacing as a strong candidate.

Cafaro, D-32nd, of Liberty, said she’s interested in being the Senate minority leader but isn’t actively campaigning for the job.

“I’ll fill what role my caucus wants and that includes leader if they think it’s appropriate,” she said Monday. “It’s something I can do effectively. But it isn’t about what I want. It’s about what the caucus wants.”

Cafaro said other Democratic Senate members have asked her to run for minority leader. She is now the caucus’ assistant whip, the No. 4 position for a Democrat in the state Senate.

But no decision will be made until the caucus members have a chance to discuss the situation Wednesday, said Cafaro and state Sen. Jason Wilson, D-30th, of Columbiana.

If Cafaro, a senator since January 2007, is selected as leader of the Senate Democrats, she’ll be the first legislator from the Mahoning Valley to hold that position since Harry Meshel of Youngstown, who served in that post about 20 years ago.

The caucus could choose its new leadership team Wednesday at the meeting or wait until further talks on the subject occur, Cafaro and Wilson said.

State Sen. Ray Miller, D-15th, of Columbus, announced Monday that he wouldn’t see re-election as minority leader.

As part of a shake-up among Senate Democrats in January, three of the four leadership positions changed hands.

Despite a huge year for Democrats in Ohio and nationwide, Democrats failed to pick up even a single seat in the state Senate. Republicans control the Senate 21-12.

Echoing Cafaro’s statements, Wilson said the discussion among the Democratic senators will be open with the group making decisions that are best for the caucus.

“We’ll see what happens Wednesday,” he said. “If the caucus is interested in having me on the leadership team that would be great.”

skolnick@vindy.com